I don't know about the rest of you, but what I got from this review is that the service was terrible. Food can be mediocre, or even awful, in a tourist trap, but the service? You get better food and service at a hot dog cart.

Rapmaster2000:You live in NYC, so you're generally cool with being adventurous. You don't know a lot of people that aren't. I work with engineers in a suburban office park. There will be a new place and I'll say "let's eat there for lunch today" and someone will say "but we don't know if its good" to which I say "well, let's eat there and find out."

We just moved to a new city and created a list of restaurants based on google maps. Over the two months we've been going through them one by one. For instance - last night we ate at a wine bar near our new apartment. It was awful. Checked off the list and won't be going back. I've also been to 10 different sushi places for lunch since I've been here and have found at least two favorites. People who only go to one or two restaurants or eat the same thing every day confuse the hell out of me.

dmax:He's the cooking equivalent of Jersey Shore. I'm surprised that anyone takes him seriously in any way - including giving him seed money for a restaurant.

It's simple supply and demand. The mouth-breathing masses are attracted to loud and flashy things. If you managed to attract dupes willing to plop down good money for microwaved food, sugary cocktails, and cheap fillers, you're making a good bet.

It's the niche restaurants that are risky because that market segment is fickle.

1. The cool place with great food opens up.2. People swarm.3. The lines and wait seem intriguing. More people come.4. People get tired of having to plan a wait (reservation or not) and slowly stop going.5. The fetish wears off and the place sees a slowdown in customers.6. Soon they can't pay their high-cost kitchen staff. People are let go. The menu changes. Cheaper ingredients are used.7. Place folds. Owner may or may not try to spin another fad restaurant.8. It becomes a Subway or Starbucks.

When in NYC I have my favorite places to go which are off the beaten path and are usually owner/chef places with a small staff. Il Violino at W 68th and Columbus is a sure hit for a good Italian meal every time. Not expensive. Good wine list. Friendly staff.

fireclown:LockeOak: At least Jimmy Buffet doesn't pretend to be a chef.

I'm not sure Fieri does either. I'm not an expert on his show, but I think he pretty much just goes around to other peoples restaurants, watches them cook, try some food and tell them how awesome it is.

busy chillin':CheekyMonkey: TheGreatGazoo: I always get a chuckle with Red Lobster commercials and their 'this pricing doesn't count in Times Square or Hawaii'. WTF would go to Times Square and eat at Red Lobster?

Who would go to Times Square to begin with? Why, the people who eat at Red Lobster, of course!

See, you don't want those people to come to the cool trendy food eateries anyways...so why are all hating on them? Let them eat the Corporate chain food.

I've walked through Times Square, on my way to somewhere else. Never eaten there, but I will admit to going into the the M&Ms store. 3 floors of M&Ms merchandise is ridiculous, but I'll admit, it is pretty neat that they have M&Ms in about a hundred different colors...

TheGreatGazoo:I always get a chuckle with Red Lobster commercials and their 'this pricing doesn't count in Times Square or Hawaii'. WTF would go to Times Square and eat at Red Lobster?

For that matter, who in hell would go to Hawaii and eat at Red Lobster? It's in the middle of the friggin' Pacific Ocean and full of decently priced hole in the wall restaurants that serve damned good food. See Helena's.

You live in NYC, so you're generally cool with being adventurous. You don't know a lot of people that aren't. I work with engineers in a suburban office park. There will be a new place and I'll say "let's eat there for lunch today" and someone will say "but we don't know if its good" to which I say "well, let's eat there and find out."

Once another guy (who is really a nice guy and I like) was amazed that I would just order something I'd never eaten off of a menu. He only eats chicken burritos at a Cuban place we sometimes go to.

Another guy thinks I'm a snob because I won't go to Applebee's. I say it's because they microwave their burgers. His wife gives him Applebee's gift cards as a Christmas gift.

So now I mostly eat lunch with the Chinese guys.

yeah I know people like that. They're letting life pass them by though. I can see not going on safari or eating chocolate covered crickets but this is just trying Italian food in a place that isn't a chain. I guess I just figure that a big part of the reason people come to NY is to experience the food. Italian food is Italian food - it's not exotic. I just wish more people would make themselves a little more uncomfortable and give something a shot. If you don't like the experience then at least you know you don't like it. I didn't know that picklebacks were gonna be the most awesome thing ever til I tried them. They are. Dehydrate the fark outta you though

Rapmaster2000:You live in NYC, so you're generally cool with being adventurous. You don't know a lot of people that aren't. I work with engineers in a suburban office park. There will be a new place and I'll say "let's eat there for lunch today" and someone will say "but we don't know if its good" to which I say "well, let's eat there and find out."

I live and hate that reality, although since we're in a "food city" our regular rotation is pretty damn good and I've forced the group off of any chains. I had to work so hard to get a failing place off of the rotation; they'd been decent in the past but the place was just getting slower, dirtier, and more decrepit. The outdoor chairs would break constantly and dump people onto the oyster-shell-strewn deck, and still the lunch crew would want to go back ever few weeks or so.

Broktun:skullkrusher: HotWingConspiracy: skullkrusher: am I the only one who thinks antifreeze looks tasty? Could be due to my childhood love of EctoCooler

/never tried antifreeze

It tastes sweet, which is why it's used to poison people so often. True story.

And he put it in Times Square to collect rube tourist money, in case that was lost on anyone. Of course it's terrible, he only has to compete with the TGI Fridays.

Why anyone would travel to a food haven and plop their asses down at a TGI Fridays is more than I can comprehend.

I used to work in TS and would get tourists almost every day asking for directions to the Olive Garden. You are in the middle of NYC. You are in Times Square... restaurant row is a 2 block walk from where you are. You want Italian food? We have that here. There are literally dozens of little, awesome bistros and cafes and restaurants lining both sides of the street and you are asking for directions to the all you can eat breadsticks?

This is why i do not travel with my wife.

relatedly, I had a group of these cute little blue hairs come up to me one time. They were 5 little old ladies from Georgia, none under 75. One came up to me and shyly asked "Sir, can I ask you a question? Could you tell us where we might find the Naked Cowboy?"Of course I laughed but I pointed them out to where he'd probably be. She smiled and thanked me and started to walk away. She then turned and whispered to me "One more thing? Is he white?"

CheekyMonkey:busy chillin': CheekyMonkey: TheGreatGazoo: I always get a chuckle with Red Lobster commercials and their 'this pricing doesn't count in Times Square or Hawaii'. WTF would go to Times Square and eat at Red Lobster?

Who would go to Times Square to begin with? Why, the people who eat at Red Lobster, of course!

See, you don't want those people to come to the cool trendy food eateries anyways...so why are all hating on them? Let them eat the Corporate chain food.

I've walked through Times Square, on my way to somewhere else. Never eaten there, but I will admit to going into the the M&Ms store. 3 floors of M&Ms merchandise is ridiculous, but I'll admit, it is pretty neat that they have M&Ms in about a hundred different colors...

We did the whole tourist trap thing. Went through the M&Ms store and Toys 'R Us...then ate at Planet Hollywood. There was some Cowboy themed joint that just reeked of bullsh*t marketing so skipped it. Just soaked up the madness of all the people and lights. Won't go back but it was cool to see.

But on another trip we went further downtown and ended up eating at some mexican place around 1st Street and 1st avenue. It was pretty good.

busy chillin':CheekyMonkey: busy chillin': CheekyMonkey: TheGreatGazoo: I always get a chuckle with Red Lobster commercials and their 'this pricing doesn't count in Times Square or Hawaii'. WTF would go to Times Square and eat at Red Lobster?

Who would go to Times Square to begin with? Why, the people who eat at Red Lobster, of course!

See, you don't want those people to come to the cool trendy food eateries anyways...so why are all hating on them? Let them eat the Corporate chain food.

I've walked through Times Square, on my way to somewhere else. Never eaten there, but I will admit to going into the the M&Ms store. 3 floors of M&Ms merchandise is ridiculous, but I'll admit, it is pretty neat that they have M&Ms in about a hundred different colors...

We did the whole tourist trap thing. Went through the M&Ms store and Toys 'R Us...then ate at Planet Hollywood. There was some Cowboy themed joint that just reeked of bullsh*t marketing so skipped it. Just soaked up the madness of all the people and lights. Won't go back but it was cool to see.

But on another trip we went further downtown and ended up eating at some mexican place around 1st Street and 1st avenue. It was pretty good.

At Christmastime I actually go down to TS to go to Toys R Us and Nintendo World. You may ask why I would subject myself to the hordes of tourists. I guess it makes me feel like a kid with the huge ass displays and people everywhere leading up to Christmas.

So, the only time I've gotten to go to NYC was with my ex. Due to budgetary constraints, we only had about a day there or so. I knew i wouldn't see much, but I thought I'd see something.

No. I didn't realize what a freaking pussycat I was dating at the time. He refused to get on a subway. DIdn't want to pay for a cab. Was afraid to walk anywhere that wasn't flocked with tourists. Everything was too dangerous or too expensive for him. So what did I get to see? Times Square. That was it. No Central Park. No great museums. No landmarks. Nothing. Times Freaking Square.

/the relationship didn't last long after that.//not a cool story, sis, I know. But I am still very pissed.

lohphat:dmax:He's the cooking equivalent of Jersey Shore. I'm surprised that anyone takes him seriously in any way - including giving him seed money for a restaurant.

It's simple supply and demand. The mouth-breathing masses are attracted to loud and flashy things. If you managed to attract dupes willing to plop down good money for microwaved food, sugary cocktails, and cheap fillers, you're making a good bet.

It's the niche restaurants that are risky because that market segment is fickle.

1. The cool place with great food opens up.2. People swarm.3. The lines and wait seem intriguing. More people come.4. People get tired of having to plan a wait (reservation or not) and slowly stop going.5. The fetish wears off and the place sees a slowdown in customers.6. Soon they can't pay their high-cost kitchen staff. People are let go. The menu changes. Cheaper ingredients are used.7. Place folds. Owner may or may not try to spin another fad restaurant.8. It becomes a Subway or Starbucks.

When in NYC I have my favorite places to go which are off the beaten path and are usually owner/chef places with a small staff. Il Violino at W 68th and Columbus is a sure hit for a good Italian meal every time. Not expensive. Good wine list. Friendly staff.

Paris1127:Cythraul: Paris1127: Cythraul: xanadian: Paris1127: Is it just me or was every sentence in that article a question? Oh god, am I ending my sentences with question marks now? Jesus H. Christ, WTF do I do now?

How do you feel about playing a game of "Questions Only" on Whose Line?

Wouldn't the nature of playing this game through the internet make the game less challenging? Wouldn't having ample time to think of a response in the form of question, removed from the spontaneity of in-person participation reduce the skill required?

But in this case isn't it necessary to make do with what we have? Shouldn't the purpose of this game be just to have fun? Weren't the points on [the American version of] Whose Line? worthless?

Allornone://not a cool story, sis, I know. But I am still very pissed.

That sucks. You have to go back. Central Park is one of my favorite places.

Thankfully my wife is adventurous...we rode the subway all over. We got in one car and were immediately smacked in the face with that putrid urine smell. We get in further and everyone is at the back of the car and this homeless looking stinky dude is riding at the front...but nobody really flinched...just sitting there reading their papers or what not. It was fantastic.

Allornone:So, the only time I've gotten to go to NYC was with my ex. Due to budgetary constraints, we only had about a day there or so. I knew i wouldn't see much, but I thought I'd see something.

No. I didn't realize what a freaking pussycat I was dating at the time. He refused to get on a subway. DIdn't want to pay for a cab. Was afraid to walk anywhere that wasn't flocked with tourists. Everything was too dangerous or too expensive for him. So what did I get to see? Times Square. That was it. No Central Park. No great museums. No landmarks. Nothing. Times Freaking Square.

/the relationship didn't last long after that.//not a cool story, sis, I know. But I am still very pissed.

that sucks. TS is obviously a must see for a first timer but there's more to it than that. I encourage everyone to move to New York. Don't visit. Come here forever. You like super busy, active places? Check. You like quiet, tree lined streets? That too. Want to have a quiet drink at a local hole and then be able to be on line outside an absurdly packed club in 15 minutes? Yep. Food, museums, sports, music. Just no Big Gulps or transfats.

Allornone:So, the only time I've gotten to go to NYC was with my ex. Due to budgetary constraints, we only had about a day there or so. I knew i wouldn't see much, but I thought I'd see something.

No. I didn't realize what a freaking pussycat I was dating at the time. He refused to get on a subway. DIdn't want to pay for a cab. Was afraid to walk anywhere that wasn't flocked with tourists. Everything was too dangerous or too expensive for him. So what did I get to see? Times Square. That was it. No Central Park. No great museums. No landmarks. Nothing. Times Freaking Square.

/the relationship didn't last long after that.//not a cool story, sis, I know. But I am still very pissed.

It's amazing, that in much of the USA (and the world), NYC still has a reputation for being dangerous. Friends from freaking Cincinnati have asked me about NYC being dangerous.

damageddude:Rule 1 when eating in the TImes Square area: avoid theme/chain/celebrity restaurants at all costs.Rule 2: See Rule 1

Seriously, walk just a block or two on any side street and you will find plenty of moderately priced, good restaurants.

If you are going to NYC and eating at ANY theme/chain/celebrity restaurants at all you are doing it wrong.

Here's what you need to know about Guy Fieri...

1. His TV shows (at least the ones I've seen) consist of him fawning over other people's food in a way that tells you almost nothing about how to prepare it properly, but instead acts more as an advertisement for you to visit the restaurant.

2. You're much better off going online, looking up the recipes he posts on the Food Network site and preparing them yourself. You can do it cheaper and it'll probably taste better than anything you order at a casual dining establishment. Plus, you won't have someone getting butthurt for not leaving a 20% gratuity (even though the custom was always 15% back in the day, 20% for exception service...I guess all service is now considered 'exceptional') on your table.

3. If you think that Guy Fieri has anything to do with anything you eat at any of his restaurants or restaurants he endorses, I have some beach front property I'd like to sell you New Jersey. Don't mind the wrecked ferris wheel.

skullkrusher:I used to work in TS and would get tourists almost every day asking for directions to the Olive Garden.

I have this experience with my family when we travel. They are oddly petrified of having a bad meal. If I suggest going somewhere local and unknown, they say "well what if it's bad?" Then it's bad and we don't go there again. They would rather go for guaranteed mediocrity than risk something they don't know.

As somebody who is on the road fairly freqently, I need to share some information that big-city foodies seem to be unaware of.

Whenever you outside of an urban area or the directly surrounding suburbs of an urban area, all of the local restaurants suck baboons ass. If you are in Bumfark, ND and your choice is Olive Garden or any local establishment, trust me - THE OLIVE GARDEN WILL BE BETTER. Or Applebees. Or Chilis, etc. I have never had anything I truly enjoyed at Applebees, but for some reason, local restaurants in rural outposts are EVEN WORSE. ALWAYS. (Sorry for the shouting.)

However, when you are in any fairly sizable city, the local places are far, far better than any of the chains. Eating at a chain restaurant in NYC is kind of defeating one of the reasons to go there.